I know there was a joke thread but this one is serious and about a child who isn't on G&T register at school

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I don't know whether I should discuss this with a teacher or not but my son at end of first term in year 4 was given a level 4b in mathematics, 4b in reading and 4c in extended writing and is not on the G&T register (although his younger sister who doesn't read yet in Year 1 is for her creativitiy)

It's such bollocks isn't it?

I am aware of the advantages given to children at school on G&T register because they itemise the wonderful things they've done in the parent newsletter. Maybe I'm a little annoyed that these opportunities aren't extended to DS3 but are to other children.

I know in other schools a year 4 child who is working at a year 6 level would be on the G&T register.

I suppose I should care about this a little more but I can't help feeling the whole G&T register is bollocks

The G&T register works on percentages - it's supposed to be the top 10%. 4b/4c in Year 4 isn't necessarily that unusual - there are certainly more than 10% of Year 4 (ie 5-6 children)working at that level at the school I work at. And if you include children for things other than academic ability (such as your DD's creativity) that leaves even less room for the top academic children.

Well that's it isn't it Rusty - how can the whole premise of the G&T register be fair? What does it say to the bright kids who aren't on it? How does a teacher choose which child is on it? What if one kid zooms ahead, as children tend to do, does another child get taken off it?

Well no it isn't fair. But you've clearly noticed this at the point where your child didn't get into it, not earlier when your other child did. Which sums up the whole thing to some extent really, doesn't it?

If your child is benefiting from scheme, it looks diffeent from when your child is not getting those benefits.

FWIW I think it's not remotely fair! But anything which picks the top 10% for special treatment was never going to be fair as such....

"I suppose I should care about this a little more but I can't help feeling the whole G&T register is bollocks"

You never said a truer word. Try not to worry about it and as long as your child keeps on making progress and is happy use that as your measure of their success. Give 'em a hug and tell them their brilliant!!

I agree, I don't see any way it can be fair if it's done as a strict 10% without flexibility.

I'm not that familiar with our scheme, but it works more as a series of individual or small group projects than as group activities, they are called PathFinders rather than G&T and include several children with non-academic strengths - there's at least one with football skills, one drama, one or two art/craft & one with very good leadership & organisational skills. They seem to be starting projects with new children all the time - it's done by a part time teacher who also covers PPA in our ASD resource,with the help of a TA, but I'm not sure how many hours each have for it.

I think, because it's ongoing there's less sense of exclusion as it's always possible that new children will be added if they show promise of exceptional skills in whatever area, and I they don't seem to stick rigidly to 10%.